Can unscrambler



Oct. 27, 1959 J. BYnyGToN 2,910,165

CAN UNSCRAMBLER Filed July 11, 1957 e Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

James A. Byingfon INVENTOR.

only! 5% Oct. 27, 1959 J. A. BYINGTON 2,910,165

' cm UNSCRAMBLER v Filed July 11, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Attm Oct. 27, 1959 v .1. A. BYINGTON 2,910,165

CAN UNSCRAMBLER Filed July 11, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet :5

James A. By/ngfon INVENTOR.

BY i zam 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. A. BYINGTON CAN UNSCRAMBLER Oct. 27, 1959 Filed July 11, 1957 Oct. 27, 1959 J. A. BYINGTON CAN UNSCRAMBLER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 1]., 1957 James A. By/ng/on m M mm, m My Z W QM 9m Oct.27, 1959 M. BYINGTON 2,910,165 I CAN UNSCRAMBLER Filed July 11, 1957 s Shets-Sheet 6 I James A. By/ng/on INVENTOR.

CAN UNSCRAMBLER A. Byington, Orlando, Fla., assignor to Citrus Machinery Company, Inc., Orlando, Fla.

Application July 1 1, 1957, Serial No. 671,289

13 Claims. (Cl. 198-30) James This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in sorting mechanisms, and more specifically to the improved can unscrambler.

In canning plants it is necessary that all of the cans face in one direction and that they be disposed in side by side relation in order that they may be fed through .automatic machinery.

This necessitates either special packaging when the cans are shipped from the manufacturer or special alignment at the cannery. It has been found in the past that it is much cheaper if the cans are shipped in the bulk, that is loosely within a car or a truck without being packaged. Accordingly, when the cans reach the factory they are in no way aligned with respect to each other and it is necessary that the cannery align the cans so that their open ends all face in the same direction prior to the entrance of the cans into the canning machinery.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a can unscrambler which is so constructed whereby cans may be dumped into a hopper at one end of the can unscrambler and the cans will exit from the opposite end of the can unscrambler in side by side relation with their open ends facing all in the same direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a can aligning mechanism to be used in a can unscrambler, the can aligning mechanism including a tilting device whereby cans moving in a vertical path and being disposed upright will be tilted in opposite directions depending on whether their open ends are facing downwardly or their closed ends are facing downwardly so that the cans, after passing the tilting device, will have their open ends facing all in the same direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a can unscrambler which includes a can aligning mechanism, the can aligning mechanism being so constructed whereby it receives cans in a vertical position and will automatically tilt the cans either to the right or the left depending on whether their closed ends or whether their 'open ends are facing downwardly so that all of the cans face in the same direction, the cans being further twisted so that they are disposed in side by side relation.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved can unscrambler, the can. unscrambler being so constructed whereby the cans are received from a hopper and are moved individually out of the hopper onto conveyors and are disposed longitudinally of the conveyors whereby the cans will enter into a can aligning mechanism in an upstanding position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved elevator for cans of the can unscrambler, the elevator including a conveyor belt having an upstanding run, there being disposed behind the upstanding run of the conveyor belt a plurality of magnets whereby the cans adhere to the upstanding run and are moved upwardly individually as is desired.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of the hopper end of the can unscrambler and shows the details of the hopper and the relationship of the hopper with respect to one end of a conveyor belt system;

Figure 1A is a fragmentary top view of the oppositeend of the can unscrambler and shows the relationship between the conveyor system and the can aligning mechanism;

Figure 2 is an end view of the can unscrambler and shows further details of the can aligning mechanism;

Figures 3 and 3A are fragmentary side elevational views showing the details of the can unscrambler as viewed from one side thereof;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional View showing the specific details of can tilting devices which are parts of the can aligning mechanism;

and

Figure 5 is a schematic View showing the details of the can unscrambler.

Y frame 12 includes a pair of standards 14 at the left end thereof and a pair of standards 16 at the right end thereof. Extending longitudinally between the upper ends of. these standards 14 and 16 at opposite sides of the frame 12 are longitudinal frame rails 18. Also extending between lower portions of the standards 14 and 16 are lower frame rails 20. The frame rails 18 are supported intermediate their ends by standards 22 whichextend upwardly fromthe lower frame rails 20. Disposed intermediate the frame rails 1?, and 20 are longitudinally extending frame members 24 which have intermediate portions thereof secured to the standards 22.

Carried by the frame rails 18 adjacent the left ends thereof are pillow blocks 26 which are transversely aligned and which support for rotation a shaft 28, the shaft 28 extending transversely across the frame 12. Similar pillow blocks 30 are spaced to the right of the pillow blocks 26 and are supported by the frame rails 18. The pillow blocks 3% carry transverse shaft 32. As is best shown in Fig. 1A, the shaft 28 has mounted thereon pairs of pulleys 34 wherein the individual pulleys.

34 are widely spaced. The shaft 32 has mounted there on pairs of pulleys 36 wherein the pulleys 36 are relatively narrowly spaced. Extending over aligned ones of the pulleys 34 and 36 are individual endless conveyor belts 38. It is to be noted that the conveyor belts 38 of each pair converge from the pulleys 34 to the pulleys 36.

The conveyor belts 38 are spaced apart a distance whereby they will receive therebetween in supporting relation a can, such as the can 40 which is to be unscrambled. It is to be understood that the shafts 28 and 32, the.

pulleys 34 and 36 and the conveyor belts 49 form a first best shown in Fig. l, the shaft 46 has mounted thereon 7 3 pairs of pulleys 52 which are widely spaced, the pulleys 48 corresponding to the pulleys 34.

Referring now to Fig. 1A in particular, it will be seen that carried by the shaft 50 are pairs of pulleys 54 which are relatively narrowly spaced and which correspond to the pulleys 36. Extending between the pulleys 52 and 54 are converging pairs of conveyor belts 56. The conveyor belts 56, like the conveyor belts 38 are spaced apart a distance for receiving and carrying one of the cans 40. It is to be understood that the shafts 46 and 50, the pulleys 52 and 54 and the conveyor belts '6 form a second conveyor which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 58. It is also to be noted that the second conveyor 58 overlaps the left end of the first conveyor 42.

Referring once again to Fig. 3A in particular, it will be seen that disposed to the left of the pillow blocks 48 are pillow blocks 60 carried by the frame rails 18. Extending transversely of the frame 12 and journaled in the pillow blocks 60 is a shaft 62. Disposed at the right end of the frame rails 18 are bearing plates 64. The bearing plates 64 have extending through the lower right hand corners thereof a shaft 66 which is journaled for rotation therein.

Referring now to Fig. 1A in particular, it will be seen that carried by the shaft 62 are transversely spaced pairs of pulleys 68 wherein the individual pulleys of each pair of pulleys 68 are widely spaced. Carried by the shaft 66 are similarly transverse spaced pairs of pulleys 78 with the pulleys 71 being narrowly spaced. Extending over the pulleys 68 and 70 are converging conveyor belts 72. The shafts 62 and 66, the pulleys 68 and 70 and the conveyor belts 72 combine to form a third conveyor which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 7 4.

While only one conveyor 42, 58 and 74 has been spe cifically described, it is to be understood that there will be a plurality of such conveyors and that they will be transversely spaced. The individual conveyors 42, 58 and 74 will be aligned to form a continuous conveyor run. Because the conveyors overlap, it will be seen that there is assured that a can 40 will be immediately picked up from the conveyor 42 by the conveyor 58 and then from the conveyor 5 8 by the conveyor 74.

Extending transversely across the frame members 24 is a supporting plate 76 on which there is mounted a drive unit 78. The drive unit '78 includes a drive shaft 80 on which there is mounted a drive sprocket 82.

Carried by the standards 22 are pillow blocks 84. Extending transversely of the frame 12 and rotatably journaled in the pillow blocks 84 is an intermediate drive shaft 86. The drive shaft 86 carries a sprocket 88 which is aligned with the drive sprocket 82 and is drivingly connected to the power unit 78 by a drive chain 90.

Carried by the shaft 32 is a sprocket 92 which is aligned with a sprocket 94 (Fig. 1A). The sprockets 92 and 94 are aligned and connected together by a drive chain 96.

The shaft 50 is provided with a sprocket 98 (Fig. 1A) which is aligned with a drive sprocket 161 (Fig. 1A) carried by the shaft 86. The sprockets 98 and 100 are connected together by a drive chain 102.

Referring once again to Fig. 1A, it will be seen that the shaft 66 is provided with a sprocket 104. The sprocket 104 is aligned with a drive sprocket 106 carried by the shaft 86. The sprockets 104 and 106 are connected together by a drive chain 108 It is to be noted that the sprocket 92 is larger than the sprocket 98 and that the sprocket 98 is larger than the sprocket 104. Thus the conveyor 58 is driven at a faster rate than the conveyor 42 and the conveyor 74 is driven at a faster rate than the conveyor 58. This prevents any jamming up of cans 48 on the conveyors and thus retains the cans in spaced relation as they move along the conveyor system.

As is best shown in Fig. 2, there is carried by the frame 12 in overlying relation thereto a plurality of guides 110.

.4 The guides 110 are disposed on opposite sides of each of the conveyor lines and slope down towards the individual conveyor lines so as to assure the movement of cans 40 onto the conveyor lines and retention of the cans thereon. Thus the upper part of the can unscrambler 10 is in the form of a plurality of guides to assure the proper positioning of cans on the individual conveyors 42, 58 and 74 during the movement of the cans 4t thereon.

Disposed at the left end of the can unscrambler 10 is a hopper 112. The hopper 112 includes a suitable supporting frame 114 and has sides 116 and a bottom wall 118 which slopes downwardly and to the right. The right end of the hopper 112 is formed by an upstanding run 120 of portions of the standards 126 and 128 are connected together by lower longitudinal frame members 132. The frame members 130 and 132 are also connected together by an upstanding frame member 134.

Carried by the frame members 134 and 130 are a plurality of supports 136 which support a guide plate 138. The guide plate 138 extends upwardly at the left of the frame 124 and curves upwardly to the right at the upper 7 end thereof in alignment with the right hand edge of the standard 128. The guide 138 forms a guide for the upstanding run of the conveyor belt 122.

Suitably supported by the frame members for rota-. tion is a main drive shaft 140 for the conveyor belt 122.

The main drive shaft 140 carries a drive roller 142 over.

which the conveyor belt 122 passes. Carried by the lower part of the frame member 134 at each side of the frame 124 is a pillow block 144. Rotatably journaled in the pillow blocks 144 is a transversely extending idler shaft 146. The idler shaft 146 carries an idler roller 148 which is disposed adjacent the lower end of the guide 138. The endless conveyor 128 is also entrained over the idler roller 148.

Extending transversely between the frame members 132 is a plate 150 which carries a power unit 152. The power unit 152 includes a drive shaft 154 on which there is mounted a drive sprocket 156. One end of the shaft 140 is provided with a driven sprocket 158 which is aligned with the sprocket 156. Entrained over the sprockets 156 and 158 and drivingly connecting the two together is a drive chain 160.

Carried by the rear or right side of the guide 138 is a plurality of rows of magnets 162, as is best shown in Fig. 1. There is one row of magnets 162 for each of the conveyor lines previously described. As is best shown in Fig. 3, the magnets 162 are vertically spaced. The magnets 162 cooperate with cleats 164 on the conveyor belt 122 so as to permit the outward passage of the cans 40 from the hopper 112 in spaced rows. Movement of the cans 40 from the conveyor belt 122 onto the conveyors 42 is assured by a transversely extending guide 165, as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

By providing a plurality of conveyors, such as the conveyors 42, 58 and 74 which run at different speeds, it ispractically assured that the individual cans 40 will pass along the conveyors 74 in lying down positions. However, in view of the possibility that certain of the cans 40 on the guides 110 for sweeping the cans 40 from the conveyors 74 should they be upstanding. The guides 110" are provided with openings 168 through which the upstanding cans 40 may pass. I

Underlying the openings 168 is a transverse conveyor 170. As is best shown in Fig. 3A, disposed at each side of the frame 12 is a pair of upstanding frame members 172 which have their lower ends secured to the right portions of the frame members 24. Frame members 172 have diverging upper portions 174. The upper portion 174 of the left hand frame member 172 is connected to a transverse frame member 176 secured to the undersides of the frame rails 18. The upper portion of each of the right frame members 174 is connected to its respective standard 176. The upper portions 174 are provided with guides 178 to assure the passage of the cans removed from the conveyors 74 onto the conveyor 17 0.

The conveyor 178 includes shafts 188 at opposite ends thereof. The shafts 180 are carried by pillow blocks 182 which are supported by the frame members 170. Each of the shafts 188 includes an enlarged roller 184 over which an endless conveyor belt 186 passes. As is best shown in Figs. 1 and 1A, disposed at one side of the frame 12 is a return conveyor which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 188. The return conveyor 188 extends from a point adjacent the right hand end of the hopper 112 to a point beyond the transverse conveyor 178. The return conveyor 188 includes a main drive shaft 198 which is suitably journaled with respect to the frame 112 and which is provided with a drive roller 192. The shaft 1% is driven by means of a power unit 194 and is connected thereto by a drive chain 196. The opposite end of the return conveyor 188 includes an idler shaft 198 which is suitably supported by the frame 12 and which has mounted thereon an idler roller 200. Entrained over the rollers 192 and 208 is a conveyor belt 202.

As is best shown in Fig. 3A, there is carried by the frame 12 a power unit 284 which includes a drive shaft 206. The drive shaft 286 is connected to an extension of one of the shafts 188 by means of a drive chain 288 so as to drive the transverse conveyor 170.

The transverse conveyor 170 has the far end thereof, as viewed in Fig. 1A, disposed above the right hand end of the return conveyor 188 and passage of returning cans from the transverse conveyor 170 to the return conveyor 188 is facilitated by a chute 210. Also, there is disposed at the left hand end of the return conveyor 188 a return chute 212. The return chute 212 is carried by the hopper 112 for directing returning cans 48 into the hopper 112 from the return conveyor 188.

Disposed at the right end of the frame 12 is a can aligning mechanism which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 214. The can aligning mechanism 214 includes an upper frame which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 216.

The frame 216 includes a pair of transverse frame members 218 and 228 which extend between and are secured to intermediate portions of the standards 16. Connected to the frame members 218 and 220 are frame members 222 and 224, respectively. The frame member 222 is connected to the frame member 218 by frame members 226. The frame member 224 is connected to the frame member 228 by a horizontal plate 228 having spaced openings therethrough. Extending vertically between each frame member 226 and the plate 228 are frame members 230.

Extending between the frame members 230 at each endof the frame 216 is an upper bearing plate 232 and a lower bearing plate 234. Extending between and rotatably journaled in the bearing plates 232 are shafts 236. The shafts 236 carry upper feed ro-llores 238, as is best shown in Fig. 5. The feed rollers 238 are in the form of spaced brushes.

Extending between and rotatably journaled in the bearing plates 234 are shafts 248. The shafts 248 have mounted thereon feed rollers 242. Like the feed rollers so as to move a can 40 down therebetween.

the endless belt 268 passes under one of the pulleys 266 '6 238, the feed rollers 242 are in the form of spaced apart brushes.

The feed rollers 238 and 242 are driven from the shaft 66. The shaft 66 has mounted on one end thereof a drive pulley 244. Carried by the plate 64 is a shaft 246 on which'there is mounted an idler pulley 248. A second shaft 250 is carried by the plate 64 and has mounted thereon an idler pulley 252. A third idler pulley 254 is carried by a shaft 256 which is in turn carried by support arms 258 which are pivotally secured to a mounting plate 260 by means of a pivot pin'262. The mounting plate 260 is carried by one of the standards 16 The shafts 236 have mounted thereon relatively large pulleys 264. The shafts 240 have mounted thereon smaller pulleys 266. Entrained over the pulleys 244, 248, 252, 254, 264 and 266 is an endless drive belt 268.

It is tobe noted that the drive belt 268 passes over one of the pulleys 264 and under the other of the pulleys 264 so that the feed rollers 238 turn towards each other Likewise,

and over the other of the pulleys 266 so as to cause the feed rollers 242 to turn towards each other and move a can 40 down therebetween. It is to be noted that the feed rollers 242 are driven at a faster rate than the feed rollers 238. This results in spacing of cans 48 which may pass through the feed rollers 238 and 242. i

In order that the cans 48 may pass into the feed rollers 238 from the conveyors 74, there is carried by the frame 12 and the frame 216 a plurality of guide assemblies 270. There is one guide assembly 27 0 for each of the conveyors 74. Each guide assembly 278 is so mounted with respect to the frame 12 whereby as a can 48 passes off of the right end of its respective conveyor 74, it passes into the associated guide assembly 270.

Referring now to Fig. 4 in particular, it will be seen that carried by the p=late.228 intermediate the opening thereof is a plurality of can tilting devices which are referred to in general by the reference numeral 272. The can tilting devices 272 are identical and there is one can tilting device 272 for each of the guide assemblies 270.

Each of the can tilting devices 278 includes a pair of mounting flanges 274 which are used to secure them in place on the plate 228. Passed through each of the mounting flanges 274 is a bolt 276 which is threaded into the plate 228.

Each can tilting device 272 includes an upper portion 278 and a lower portion 280. The lower portion 288 pro ects outwardly on opposite sides of the upper portion 278. The upper portion 278 includes an'upper downwardly sloping surface 282 which is'centrally located.

The lower portion 280 has an upper downwardly sloping surface 284 on each side of the upper portion 278. It is to be noted that the surface 282 slopes to the right whereas the surface 284 slopes to the left.

In the central portion of Fig. 4 a can 40 is illustrated initially engaging the can tilting device 272. Should the closed end of the can 40 be facing downwardly, the closed end will engage the surface 282, as is shown in the right hand part of Fig. 4 and the can 40 will be tilted to the right with the open end thereof facing to the right.

Referring now to the left side of Fig. 4, it will be seen that in the event the open end of the can 40 is facing downwardly, the open end will pass over the upper portion 278 and will engage the surfaces 284. As a result, the can 40 will be tilted to the left. However, the open end will face to,.the right, the same as the can 40 at the right hand side of Fig. 4. Thus the tilting devices 272 will serve to face all of the cans 4i) engaging them in the same direction. 7

Referring once again to Fig. 3A in particular, it will be seen that the can aligning-mechanism 214 includes a lower frame 286. The lower frame 286 includes a lower frame member 288 which extends to the right from each of the,

standards '16 adjacent the lower end thereof. Extending upwardly from each of the frame members 288 are longitudinally spaced vertical frame members 290. The lower portions of the frame members 290 are connected together by transversely extending lower frame members 292. Similar transversely extending upper frame members 294 also connect together the frame members 290 at opposite sides of the frame 286.

Carried by the frame members 292 at opposite ends thereof are pillow blocks 296. The pillow blocks 296 have journaled therein shafts 298. One of the shafts 298 has an extension on which there is mounted asprocket 300. The sprocket 300 is driven by the power unit 204 through the drive shaft 206 thereof by means of a drive chain 302.

Mounted on each of the shafts 298 is a roller 304. Entrained over the rollers 304 is an endless conveyor belt 306. The above components form an endless conveyor which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 308.

Disposed above the endless conveyor 308 is a pair of transversely extending guide plates 310. The guide plates 310 are supported from the frame members 290 by means of suitable supports 312.

Extending between the guide plates 310 and the plate 228 are spiral guide assemblies 314. The spiral guide assemblies 314 are so constructed whereby they twist a can 40 90.

The guide assemblies 314 are so located whereby cans passing off of the tilting devices 272 will pass into one of the guide assemblies 314. The guide assemblies 314 will twist the cans 40 from end to end aligned positions, such as shown in Fig. 4, to side by side parallel positions. It is to be understood that the twisting of the cans 40 will be such that the open ends of the cans 40 still face in the same direction.

Referring once again to Fig. in particular, it will be seen that there is disposed at one end of the endless conveyor 308 an endless conveyor 316. The endless conveyor 316 receives from the endlms conveyor 308 the cans 40 by means of a chute 318. The endless conveyor 316 extends to canning machinery (not shown) which is set to receive the cans 40 in lying down side by side relation with their open ends all facing in the same direction. The canning machinery will automatically receive the cans and fill them in the conventional manner.

From the foregoing description of the can unscrambler 10, it will be readily apparent that the can unscrambler 10 is of such a construction whereby cans may be dumped into the hopper 1 12 from trucks or other modes of transportation. Thus the cans may be shipped in bulk shipments irrespective of their relation. The can unscrambler 10 will then take the cans out of the hopper 1-12 and arrange them so that they are longitudinally aligned and passed into the guide assemblies 270. The guide assemblies 270 will then move the cans downwardly through the can aligning mechanism 214 and the cans 40 will then exit from the can aligning mechanism in the desired arrangement. All this is done automatically and without damage to the individual cans. Further, the mechanism of the can unscrambler 10 is foolproof and thus there is no possibility whatsoever of a can entering the canning machinery misaligned so as to interrupt the canning operation.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

' What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a can unscrambler, a can aligning mechanism 8 can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device in cluding an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surfaces, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a can with its open end down is tilted in the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, second feed rollers disposed intermediate said first men tioned feed rollers and said tilting device, drive means connected to said first feed rollers and said second feed rollers to drive said second feed rollers at a faster rate than said first feed rollers whereby cans are moved to said tilting device in spaced relation to each other.

2. In a can unscrambler, a can aligning mechanism for cans having one end open and one closed end, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surfaces, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a cam with its open end down is tilted in the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, can twisting means for receiving cans from said can tilting means to position cans in side by side relation.

3. In a can unscrambler, a can aligning mechanism for cans having one end open and one closed end, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surface, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a can with its open end down is tilted in the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, second feed rollers disposed intermediate said first mentioned feed rollers and said tilting device, drive means connected to said first feed rollers and said second feed rollers to drive said second feed rollers at a faster rate than said first feed rollers whereby cans are moved to.

said tilting device in spaced relation to each other, said can chute being of a cross section for retaining a can for cans having one end open and one closed end, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surface, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper.

sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a can with its open end down is tilted in the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, said can chute being of a cross section for retaining a can in a vertical position, can twisting means for receiving cans from said can tilting means to position cans in side by side relation.

5. In a can unscrambler, a can aligning mechanism for cans having one open end and one closed end, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting. for cans having one open end and one closed end, said device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surface, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a can with its openend down is tiltedin the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, second feed rollers disposed intermediate said first mentioned feed rollers and said tilting device, drive means connected to said first feed rollers and said second feed rollers to drive said second feed rollers at a faster rate than said first feed rollers whereby cans are moved to said tilting device in spaced relation to each other, can twisting means for receiving cans from said can tilting means to position cans in side by side relation.

6. In a can unscrambler, a can aligning mechanism for cans having one open end and one closed end, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surface, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a can with its open end down is tilted in the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, second feed rollers disposed intermediate said first mentioned feed rollers and said tilting device, drive means connected to said first feed rollers and said second feed rollers to drive said second feed rollers at a faster rate than said first feed rollers whereby cans are moved to said tilting device in spaced relation to each other, said can chute being of a cross section for retaining a can in a vertical position, can twisting means for receiving cans from said can tilting means to position cans in side by side relation.

7. A can unscrambler for cans having a closed end and an open end for aligning the cans and facing the cans in the same direction, said can unscrambler comprising a hopper for receiving bulk quantities of cans, elevating means for lifting cans from said hopper in a line, a narrow conveyor for receiving cans from said elevator, and can aligning mechanism at the opposite end of said narrow conveyor for receiving cans therefrom, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surface, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite fromsaid upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a can with its open end down is tilted in the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction.

8. A can unscrambler for cans having a closed end and an open end for aligning the cans and facing the cans in the same direction, said can unscrambler comprising a hopper for receiving bulk quantities of cans, elevating means for lifting cans from said hopper in a line, a narrow conveyor for receiving cans from said elevator, and can aligning mechanism at the opposite end of said narrow conveyor for receiving cans therefrom, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surface, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end d wn is tilted in one direction and a can v spaced relation to each other.

9. A can unscrambler for cans having a closed end and an open end for aligning the cans and facing the cans in the same direction, said can unscrambler comprising a hopper for receiving bull; quantities of cans, elevating means for lifting cans from said hopper in a line, a narrow conveyor for receiving cans from said elevator, and can aligning mechanism at the opposite end of said narrow conveyor for receiving cans therefrom, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surface, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a can with its open end down is tilted in the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, can twisting means for receiving cans from said can tilting means to position cans in side by side relation.

10. A can unscrambler for cans having a closed end and an open end for aligning the cans and facing the cans in the same direction, said can unscrambler comprising a hopper for receiving bulk quantities of cans, elevating means for lifting cans from said hopper in a line, a narrow conveyor for receiving cans from said elevator, can upsetting means along said narrow conveyor for moving cans from upstanding positions to lying down positions on said narrow conveyor, and can aligning mechanism at the opposite end of said narrow conveyor for receiving cans therefrom, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, said tilting device including an upper sloping surface, lower sloping surfaces on opposite sides of said upper surface, said lower sloping surfaces facing in a direction opposite from said upper sloping surface, said upper sloping surface being of a size for reception in an open end of a can whereby a can with its closed end down is tilted in one direction and a can with its open end down is tilted in the opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, can twisting means for receiving cans from said can tilting means to position cans in side by side relation.

11. In a can unscrambler, a can aligning mechanism for cans having one open end and one closed end, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute, for tilting a can with its closed end down in one direction and a can with its open end down in an opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, second feed rollers disposed intermediate said first mentioned feed rollers and said tilting device, a drive means connected to said first feed rollers and said second feed rollers to drive said second feed rollers at a faster rate than said first feed rollers whereby cans are moved to said tilting device in spaced relation to each other.

12. In a can unscrambler, a can aligning mechanism for cans having one open end and one closed end, said can aligning mechanism comprising a can chute, feed rollers for receiving cans from said can chute, a tilting device aligned with said can chute for tilting a can with its closed end down in one direction and a can with its open end down in an opposite direction so that all cans face in the same direction, second feed rollers disposed intermediate said first mentioned feed rollers and said tilting device, a drive means connected to said first feed rollers and said second feed rollers to drive said second feed rollers at a faster rate than said first feed rollers whereby cans are moved to said tilting device in spaced relation to each other, and can twisting means for receiving cans from said can tilting means to position cans in side-by-side relation.

13. A can unscrambler for cans having a closed end and an open end for aligning the cans and facing the cans in the same direction, said can unscrambler comprising a hopper for receiving bulk quantities of cans, an elevator for elevating cans from said hopper, said elevator including an endless conveyor belt having an upstanding run forming one wall of said hopper, a plurality of rows of vertically spaced magnets disposed behind said upstanding run for retaining cans on said upstanding run in trans- 12 a versely spaced lines, a plurality of narrow conveyors for receiving cans from said elevator, said narrow conveyors being aligned with said rows of magnets, and can aligning means at the opposite ends of each of said narrow conveyors for receiving cans therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,218,910 Taisey Mar. 13, 1917 1,886,896 Nelson Nov; 8, 1932 2,583,707 Prickett Jan. 29, 1952 2,651,402 Noyes Sept. 8, 1953 2,684,147 Holstebro July 20, 1954 2,719,624 Fox Oct. 4, 1955 

